US3796422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotary collator with sheet clamping means
Assignee: MESTRE L DEV CORP
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Filing: 1972-08-09
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Granted: 1974-03-12
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Expires: 1992-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A rotary collator is disclosed having a rotary drum with a plurality of radially extending partitions forming radially extending pockets against which partitions the sheets to be collated are held by clamping means. The clamping means for each pocket has operating means which opens or releases the sheet clamp prior to the position of the pocket where a sheet is to be ejected from the pocket. The clamp operating means closes the clamping means after the pocket has passed sheet ejecting position. The operating means uses a toggle structure and a relatively heavy compression spring to hold the sheets in the pile against the partition when in clamping position. This spring is operating mostly under relatively light tension so that its flexing is reduced considerably thereby and the likelihood of breaking is much reduced. Also breaking of a compression spring is much less likely because pressure is applied by flat ends of the spring abutting the parts engaged.
Inventors
- 👤 F Blowsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:48
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H39/00; B65H39/02; B65H39/04; B65H39/041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
270 words
A rotary collator having a sheet ejecting position comprising a frame, a drum, radially extending partitions carried by the drum forming a plurality of radially extending pockets open at the periphery, means mounting the drum for rotation, a sheet clamp for each pocket having an open position and a clamping position; mounting means for each clamp including a clamp pivot means attaching the clamp to the mounting means, a clamp shaft pivotally mounted on the drum adjacent to a partition and secured to the mounting means, and a clamp arm secured to the clamp shaft and having a connecting pivot spaced from the clamp shaft; operating means to move the clamp towards and away from clamping position including a toggle arm having a connecting pivot, a toggle arm pivot pivotally mounting the toggle arm on the drum, a toggle link pivotally attached to the connecting pivot of one arm, a slide connection slidably receiving the toggle link and carried by the connecting pivot of the other arm, opening spring means connected with the mounting means and propelling the clamp to open position, closing spring means between the toggle link and the slide connection to press the clamp to clamping position, a cam follower carried by the toggle arm, a toggle stop, and the connecting pivots being located so that the toggle arm and toggle link are in locked toggle position against the toggle stop with the clamp in clamping position; and cam means carried by the frame and engaged by each cam follower to open its clamp prior to reaching ejecting position and closing the clamp after passing ejecting position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
270 words
A rotary collator having a sheet ejecting position comprising a frame, a drum, radially extending partitions carried by the drum forming a plurality of radially extending pockets open at the periphery, means mounting the drum for rotation, a sheet clamp for each pocket having an open position and a clamping position; mounting means for each clamp including a clamp pivot means attaching the clamp to the mounting means, a clamp shaft pivotally mounted on the drum adjacent to a partition and secured to the mounting means, and a clamp arm secured to the clamp shaft and having a connecting pivot spaced from the clamp shaft; operating means to move the clamp towards and away from clamping position including a toggle arm having a connecting pivot, a toggle arm pivot pivotally mounting the toggle arm on the drum, a toggle link pivotally attached to the connecting pivot of one arm, a slide connection slidably receiving the toggle link and carried by the connecting pivot of the other arm, opening spring means connected with the mounting means and propelling the clamp to open position, closing spring means between the toggle link and the slide connection to press the clamp to clamping position, a cam follower carried by the toggle arm, a toggle stop, and the connecting pivots being located so that the toggle arm and toggle link are in locked toggle position against the toggle stop with the clamp in clamping position; and cam means carried by the frame and engaged by each cam follower to open its clamp prior to reaching ejecting position and closing the clamp after passing ejecting position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A rotary collator as in claim 1 in which the cam means includes a clamp opening cam located adjacent to the top of the drum to open each clamp several pockets before sheet ejecting position and includes a clamp closing cam located to close each clamp after its pocket passes sheet ejecting position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A rotary collator as in claim 2 in which the clamp opening has a closing portion inclined radially inwardly at the rear end thereof to engage the cam follower and close the clamp on any reverse rotation of the drum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A rotary collator as in claim 1 in which the cam means includes a clamp opening cam and a restraining means spaced radially outwardly from the opening cam to gradually open the clamp against the pressure of the closing spring means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A rotary collator as in claim 4 including a clamp closing portion carried by the restraining means and located ahead of thE latter to close any clamp which may be open.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A rotary collator as in claim 1 in which the cam means includes a closing cam located to engage each cam follower with its clamp in open position and close the clamp after passing sheet ejecting position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A rotary collator as in claim 6 in which the closing cam has a cam peak including a spring pressed auxiliary cam located at the closing cam peak and projecting inwardly with respect to the cam peak.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A rotary collator as in claim 4 in which the cam means includes a closing cam located to engage each cam follower with its clamp in open position and close the clamp after passing sheet ejecting position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A rotary collator as in claim 8 in which the closing cam has a cam peak including a spring pressed auxiliary cam located at the closing cam peak and projecting inwardly with respect to the cam peak.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A rotary collator as in claim 9 in which the opening cam means has a closing portion inclined radially inwardly at the rear end thereof to engage the cam follower and close the clamp on any reverse rotation of the drum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A rotary collator asin claim 1 in which the clamp pivot means is a pivot pin located centrally of and crosswise of the clamp and the mounting means is a mounting plate receiving said pivot pin at an end thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-11 | 1977-09-10 | 1978-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-11 | 1981-09-10 | 1982-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-11 | 1985-09-10 | 1986-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |